Alfred vs Setapp

Alfred

• Mac users who want a keyboard launcher without a subscription
• People who automate repetitive tasks with their own workflows
• Buyers who want to pay once, with optional lifetime upgrades

Setapp

• Mac users who would otherwise buy several utilities separately
• People who like to try new apps without paying for each one
• Owners of several Macs and iOS devices, via the Power User plan

Alfred

• macOS only (10.14 or later). Alfred Remote for iOS is a separate purchase on the App Store.
• Clipboard history, snippets, workflows and file actions all require the paid Powerpack.
• Prices are shown in pounds sterling only; the vendor's site gives no US dollar price.
• The Single License is tied to Alfred 5; moving to a later major version is a discounted paid upgrade unless you hold Mega Supporter.

Setapp

• There is no free plan; after the 7-day trial the Mac plan costs $14.99 a month plus tax.
• The base Mac plan covers a single Mac; iOS devices or more Macs need a higher plan.
• Unused AI credits reset each billing period and do not carry over.
• The help center also lists an iOS-only plan at $7.99 a month and two AI+ plans that the pricing page does not show.

Alfred

App, file and web search

Launch apps, find files on your Mac and search websites with default or custom search keywords, all from one search bar.

Workflows

A Powerpack feature that connects triggers and actions like building blocks to automate tasks without code. Thousands of community workflows can be imported.

Clipboard History

With the Powerpack, Alfred keeps the text, images and file links you copy for 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month or 3 months, so an earlier item can be found and pasted again.

Snippets and text expansion

With the Powerpack, saved snippets expand automatically when you type a short keyword.

File actions and Terminal commands

The Powerpack adds actions on files, such as emailing, moving, copying and revealing in Finder, and runs Terminal commands and scripts from Alfred.

System commands and hotkeys

Sleep the Mac, empty the Trash or start the screensaver with a keyword. The Powerpack adds custom hotkeys and keywords for apps and sites.

Setapp

App catalog under one membership

More than 300 Mac, iOS and web apps, grouped into Optimize, Work, Create, Develop and AI categories. App updates are included.

Utilities in the catalog

The catalog includes Paste for clipboard history, Mosaic for window layouts, CleanShot X for screenshots, Rocket Typist for text snippets and Timing for time tracking.

AI credits and AI apps

Around 40 AI-powered apps, such as TypingMind, BoltAI and Elephas, draw on one shared allowance of AI credits. Extra credits can be bought separately.

Device coverage by plan

Plans cover 1 Mac, 1 Mac with 4 iOS devices, or 4 Macs with 4 iOS devices.

Single-app purchases

An app can be bought on its own as a monthly or yearly subscription or a one-time purchase, as set by its developer. Single apps are available for macOS only.

Setapp for Teams

Team accounts let an admin invite and remove members and manage the team's devices and apps.

Alfred

• Alfred (free)£0

  The core launcher for searching your Mac and the web. Free to use in a personal, educational or business setting.

• Powerpack Single License£34

  one-time purchase, license for Alfred 5

  Unlocks the Powerpack for one user on Alfred 5: workflows, clipboard history, snippets, file actions, themes and settings sync.

• Powerpack Mega Supporter£59

  one-time purchase, free lifetime upgrades

  The same Powerpack features for one user, with free upgrades to future versions of Alfred.

Setapp

• Mac$14.99

  per month + tax, billed monthly ($107.88 billed annually)

  The full app catalog on 1 Mac, with 1,000 AI credits a month on monthly billing.

• Mac + iOS$18.99

  per month + tax, billed monthly ($134.88 billed annually)

  1 Mac and 4 iOS devices, with 1,000 AI credits a month on monthly billing.

• Power User$22.99

  per month + tax, billed monthly ($161.88 billed annually)

  4 Macs and 4 iOS devices, with 2,000 AI credits a month on monthly billing.

Alfred

• Lifetime license

  Mega Supporter license with free lifetime upgrades

  The £59 Mega Supporter license includes free upgrades to future versions of Alfred. The £34 Single License covers Alfred 5.

• Other savings

  Upgrade discount for older licenses

  Holders of a Single User or Family license for an earlier version of Alfred can upgrade to the current Powerpack at a discount.

Setapp

• Annual discount

  Save up to 40% with yearly billing

  The pricing page advertises savings of up to 40% on yearly billing. The help center lists the Mac plan at $107.88 a year against $14.99 a month.

• Education

  20% off the annual Mac + iOS plan for education

  Students, researchers and educators who sign up with an educational email address get 20% off the annual Mac + iOS plan: $107.88 a year against the regular $134.88. New subscribers only.